What question did this study set out to answer?

To estimate the proportion of emergency department visits that could be managed at alternative outpatient facilities and quantify the potential national cost savings.

September 1, 2010Health Affairs

Many Emergency Department Visits Could Be Managed At Urgent Care Centers And Retail Clinics

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Authors

RWRobin M. WeinickRTI International RBRachel M. BurnsRAND Corporation AMAteev MehrotraRhode Island Department of Health

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Implication

Economic analysis reveals that up to 27 percent of emergency visits in the United States could occur at alternative clinics, indicating billions in potential annual savings.

Key Points

To estimate the proportion of emergency department visits that could be managed at alternative outpatient facilities and quantify the potential national cost savings.
Analyzed emergency department utilization data to identify visits appropriate for treatment at urgent care centers and retail clinics.
Calculated potential healthcare cost savings and categorized the clinical conditions treatable at alternative sites.
An estimated 13.7% to 27.1% of all emergency department visits could be redirected to urgent care centers or retail clinics.
Diverting these visits to alternative clinical settings could achieve approximately $4.4 billion in annual cost savings.
Primary conditions suitable for alternative site treatment include minor acute illnesses, strains, and fractures.

Cite This Study

Weinick et al. (2010) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a040a974a5db22ff2894a5e https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0748

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Implication

Economic analysis reveals that up to 27 percent of emergency visits in the United States could occur at alternative clinics, indicating billions in potential annual savings.

Many Emergency Department Visits Could Be Managed At Urgent Care Centers And Retail Clinics

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Many Emergency Department Visits Could Be Managed At Urgent Care Centers And Retail Clinics

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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Also Consider